Method and apparatus for dynamically managing wireless resources in a radio access network of an enterprise campus

This non-provisional application claims priority to an earlier-filed provisional application No. 63/289,580 filed Dec. 14, 2021, entitled “Dynamic Spectrum Management for Enterprise Campuses” and the provisional application No. 63/289,580 filed Dec. 14, 2021, and all its contents, are hereby incorporated by reference herein as if set forth in full.

The disclosed method and apparatus relate generally to managing spectrum in a wireless communication system. In particular, the disclosed method and apparatus relates to dynamically allocating wireless resources among the base stations of a Radio Access Network (RAN) of an enterprise network.

The wireless industry has experienced tremendous growth in recent years, with rapidly improving technology, faster and more numerous broadband communication networks are being installed around the globe. Wireless networks have now become key components of a worldwide communication system that connects people and businesses at speeds and on a scale, unimaginable just a couple of decades ago. In wireless systems, multiple mobile devices are served voice services, data services, and many other services over wireless connections so they may remain mobile while still connected.

Communication Network Configurations

is an illustration of a basic configuration for a communication network, such as a “4G LTE” (fourth generation Long-Term Evolution) or “5G NW” (fifth generation New Radio) network. Through this network configuration, user equipment (UE)can connect to External Packet Data Networks (PDNs)and access any of a variety of services such as the Internet, Application Servers, Data Services, Voice Services, and others.

UEs, BS/APs, RAN

“UEs”, or “devices”, or “UE devices” can be used to refer to a wide range of user devices having wireless connectivity, such as a cellular mobile phone, an Internet of Things (IOT) device, virtual reality goggles, robotic devices, autonomous driving machines, smart barcode scanners, and communications equipment including desktop computers, laptop computers, tablets, and other types of personal communications devices. In the illustration of, the UEsinclude a first mobile phone, a second mobile phone, a laptop computer(which can be moved around), and a printer(typically situated at a fixed location).

The UEsconnect wirelessly over radio communication linksto a Radio Access Network (RAN)that typically includes multiple base station/access points (BS/APs). One of the advantages of such wireless networks is their ability to provide communications to and from multiple wireless devices and provide these wireless devices with access to a large number of other devices and services even though the devices may be mobile and moving from location to location.

The term “BS/AP” is used herein to include Base Stations and Access Points. The BS/APs may include an evolved NodeB (eNB) of an LTE network or gNodeB of a 5G network, a cellular base station (BS), a Citizens Broadband Radio Service Device (CBSD) (which may be an LTE or 5G device), a Wi-Fi access node, a Local Area Network (LAN) access point, and a Wide Area Network (WAN) access point.

Core Network

The RANconnects the UEswith the Core Network, which provides an interface between the RANand other networks. The Core Network can have multiple functions; in one important function, the Core Networkprovides access to other devices and services either within its network, or on other networks such as the External PDNs. Particularly, the UEsare wirelessly connected to the BS/APsin RAN, and the RANis coupled to the Core Networkutilizing any appropriate communication means, such as wireless, cable, and fiber optic. Thus, the RANand the Core Networkprovide a system that allows information to flow between a UE in the cellular or private network and other networks, such as the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) or the Internet.

In addition to providing access to remote networks and allowing information to flow between the cellular network and the external PDNs, the Core Networkincludes RAN Control Unitsthat manage the wireless network and provide control of the air interface between the BS/APand the UEs. The Core Networkmay also coordinate the BS/APsto minimize interference within the network.

CBRS Networks

One type of wireless network that recently became available for general use by enterprise locations is a Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) network, which utilizes the CBRS radio band of 3550-3700 MHz, nominally divided into fifteen channels of 10 MHz each. Particularly, the US Federal Government recently approved use of the CBRS band of the frequency spectrum and finalized rules (Rule 96) that allow general access to the CBRS band. The CBRS rules set forth detailed requirements for the devices that operate in a CBRS network and how they communicate. CBRS supports both LTE and 5G devices. CBRS provides enormous wireless networking power to organizations that have never had such an option before and opens up and creates opportunities for a range of new applications.

is a diagram of an example of a CBRS wireless communication network. In, a plurality of BS/APs,,,are deployed within a locationon the enterprise's campus, providing service to a plurality of UEs. In a CBRS system, the BS/APs may be termed CBSDs.

In, each BS/APhas a range that represents its respective wireless coverage. A first UEis wirelessly connected to a first BS/AP, which is providing service to it. A second UEis wirelessly connected to a second BS/APand is providing service to that second UE. Other UEsconnect to their respective BS/APs, for example third UE, fourth UE, fifth UE, sixth UE, and seventh UEare shown in the enterprise location. All the BS/APs are connected to an operator Core Networkby any appropriate communication means, such as wire, fiber optic, wireless radio and/or a PDN. The operator Core Networkincludes components such as an OAM Server, a SON assist unit, a Domain Proxy, an Automatic Configuration Server (ACS), a Location Database, and other databases, all of which are connected to each other within the operator Core Networkby any appropriate means.

Base stations (BS/APs) within a CBRS network are termed “CBSDs”, and UEs are termed End User Devices (EUDs). CBSDs are fixed Stations, or networks of such stations, that operate on a Priority Access or General Authorized Access basis in the Citizens Broadband Radio Service consistent with Title 47 CFR Part 96 of the United States Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).

SAS

The operator Core Networkis connected to a Spectrum Access System (SAS), which is connected to a Spectrum Databasethat includes data regarding the spectrum that it is managing. Collectively, the SASand the Spectrum Databaseare referred to as a Spectrum Management Entity (SME). The SASprovides a service, typically cloud-based, that manages the spectrum used in wireless communications of devices transmitting in the CBRS band in order to prevent harmful interference to higher priority users, such as the military and priority licensees. The CBRS rules require that the SASallocate spectrum to the CBSDs to avoid interference within the CBRS band. To allocate spectrum and maintain communication between the CBSDs and the SAS, a series of messages are exchanged for purposes including registration, spectrum inquiry, grant, and heartbeat response. In a RAN that has multiple CBSDs, the Domain Proxy (DP)may be implemented to communicate with the SAS and manage all transactions between the CBSDs and the SAS. The Spectrum Sharing Committee Work Group 3 (for CBRS Protocols) has established an interface specification for registering a CBSD with an SAS, requesting a grant of spectrum, and maintaining that grant. These message flows are described in the document titled “Signaling Protocols and Procedures for Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS): Spectrum Access System (SAS)—Citizens Broadband Radio Service Device (CBSD) Interface Technical Specification”, Document WINNF-TS-0016-V1.2.4, 26 June 2019.

Regardless of complexities, the CBRS band provides an opportunity to create new wireless networks, and there is a desire for utilizing and making maximum use of spectrum in the CBRS band while following the rules pertaining the CBRS usage, including effectively responding to directions from the SAS.

SON

A self-organizing network (SON) is an automation technology designed to make the planning, configuration, management, optimization, and healing of mobile RANs simpler and faster. SON functionality and behavior has been defined and specified in generally accepted mobile industry recommendations produced by organizations such as 3GPP (3Generation Partnership Project) and the NGMN (Next Generation Mobile Networks). However, there are limitations to such functionality, and more generally, managing enterprise networks to more efficiently allocate the available network resources is an important objective.

Resource Allocation

In any enterprise wireless network there is a need for efficient use of wireless resources, while still providing the promised levels of service to the UEs attached to the wireless network. Efficient radio resource allocation is important to provide the QoS promised by a mobile network provider. Efficient management can be challenging when there is a lack of Carrier Aggregation (CA) support (such as in LTE/NR), and when there are complications caused by fragmented spectrum, such as CBRS with PAL allocation and allowed General Authorization Access (GAA) channels.

Radio resource allocation is critical for the effectiveness of a cellular wireless network; however conventional resource allocation techniques are time intensive or can be inadequate to respond to network problems. In order to more efficiently operate a wireless radio network, a RAN resource allocation method is disclosed that monitors operation and re-allocates wireless resources if radio resource requirements are not met for one or more BS/APS in the RAN. A system is disclosed that can transfers radio resources from one BS/AP to another using Bandwidth Parts (BWPs). One objective of the invention is to optimally utilize the available spectrum. In one embodiment this objective may be achieved by dynamically repartitioning the communication spectrum or retaining spectrum and reallocating portions of Physical Resourse Block (PRB) sharing, fractional frequency, frequency avoidance. The system and method can be employed to more efficiently manage an enterprise network.

In normal network operation, there is unused bandwidth that varies during network operation depending upon a number of factors. During operation the RAN and particularly the CBSDs can be observed, and it may be useful to balance and re-balance the load on the CBSDs in the RAN deployment to utilize the unused bandwidth, which can provide greater network efficiency and better service to the UEs. Particularly, the EN observes RAN operations and monitors the ongoing radio resource requirements of each CBSD in a RAN deployment. If a CBSD's resource requirements are not being met, then the EN determines if another CBSD may have unused resources that can be made available to the CBSD that needs them, and load balances the network. Load balancing may include determining the occupied bandwidth to be used by each CBSD in the deployment responsive to the radio resource requirements of all the CBSDs in a deployment. The allocation for each CBSD may be managed based on the capacity requirements based on the UE population and the active set of services on the individual APs.

The system RAN allocation system described herein is particularly useful when Carrier Aggregation (CA) is not available in a wireless network, but it can also be useful even if CA is supported.

In some embodiments the enterprise wireless network operates on the Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS band), the BS/APs in the RAN comprise CBRS Devices (CBSDs) that are located at a campus location and form part of an enterprise network. In alternative implementations, other network architectures and other technologies, such as mm-wave, or spectrum purchased/licensed from others, could be utilized.

The figures are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the claimed invention to the precise form disclosed. It should be understood that the disclosed method and apparatus can be practiced with modification and alteration, and that the invention should be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

(1) Enterprise Network

An implementation of an enterprise wireless communication network (EN) at a campus location is described herein. The term “enterprise” is used herein in its broadest sense to include any organization, such as businesses, research organizations, schools, colleges, hospitals, industry organizations, and any other organization, regardless of whether or not for profit. The term “campus” is used in its broadest sense to include any area in which the enterprise operates, such as the grounds and/or buildings operated or managed by the enterprise, college campuses, research centers, industrial complexes, any business or industrial site, and others.

An enterprise wireless communication network (EN) is a private network. Private networks are operated for use within a limited area by a limited group of authorized users, whereas public networks generally cover a larger area and are open for use by anyone that subscribes to the service by the network operator. One or more ENs can be created at a location such as a warehouse, factory, research center or other building, and are usually operated by an organization for its own use. Other types of private networks may be operated by a private network manager for use by more than one organization. Although described in the context of an enterprise wireless communication network, the principles disclosed can also apply to any private wireless network.

An EN may comprise any appropriate wireless network technology that can connect to UEs. For example, the LTE (4G) network shown inand/or the NR (5G) Network shown incan be implemented in an EN. In addition, the EN may also be implemented as a CBRS network using, for example, the LTE(4G) or NR(5G) technologies.

(2) Communication Networks

Communication networks and system components may be described herein using terminology and components relating to 4G, 5G, and CBRS systems and their approved (registered) interfaces including 4G (LTE) (IEEE 802.16e), 5G NR 3GPP TS 38.300, E_UTRA (3GPP TS 36.300) communication systems. For instance, the term “CBSD” is one implementation of a Base Station/Access Point (BS/AP) and is used herein for descriptive purposes in the context of a CBRS system. The principles of the communication network described herein more widely apply to other communication networks and systems, and particularly to any spectrum-controlled communication system and network. In some embodiments, the enterprise wireless communication network operates on the CBRS band, and the BS/APs comprise CBRS devices (CBSDs) that are located at a campus location.

(3) Acronyms

Some of the acronyms used herein are as follows:

As used herein, the term “UE”, or “devices”, or “UE devices” refers to a wide range of user devices having wireless connectivity, such as a cellular mobile phone, an Internet of Things (IOT) device, virtual reality goggles, robotic devices, autonomous driving machines, smart barcode scanners, and communications equipment including for example cell phones, desktop computers, laptop computers, tablets, and other types of personal communications devices. In some cases, the UEs may be mobile; in other cases, they may be installed or placed at a fixed position within a campus location. In other examples, the UEs may include factory sensors installed at fixed locations from which they can remotely monitor equipment such as an assembly line or a robotic arm's movement. Examples of services that can be provided to UEs by a wireless network include:

The UEs connect wirelessly over radio communication links to a Radio Access Network (RAN) that typically includes multiple base station/access points (BS/APs) that include antennas, amplifiers, and other electrical and control units for communicating with the UEs. Typically, the radio communication links operate using a Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol, which is managed by circuitry in the BS/APs.

The term “BS/AP” is used broadly herein to include base stations and access points, including at least an evolved NodeB (eNB) of an LTE network or gNodeB of a 5G network, a cellular base station (BS), a Citizens Broadband Radio Service Device (CBSD) (which may be an LTE or 5G device), a Wi-Fi access node, a Local Area Network (LAN) access point, a Wide Area Network (WAN) access point, and should also be understood to include other network receiving hubs and circuitry that provide access to a network of a plurality of wireless transceivers within range of the BS/AP. Typically, the BS/APs are used as transceiver hubs, whereas the UEs are used for point-to-point communication and are not used as hubs. Therefore, the BS/APs transmit at a relatively higher power than the UEs.

A Core Network provides a number of functions and services, including an interface between the RAN and other networks. In one important function, the Core Network provides the UEs in the RAN with access to other devices and services either within its network, or on other networks such as the External PDNs. Particularly, in cellular networks and in private networks, the UEs wirelessly connect with BS/APs in the RAN, and the RAN is coupled to the Core Network. Therefore, the RAN and the Core Network provide a system that allows information to flow between a UE in the cellular or private network and other networks.

In addition to providing access to remote networks and allowing information to flow between the cellular network and the external PDNs, the Core Network may include RAN Control Units that manage the wireless network and provide control of the air interface between the BS/AP and the UEs. The Core Network may also coordinate the BS/APs to minimize interference within the network.

(5) CBRS Networks

A Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) network utilizes the CBRS radio band of 3550-3700 MHz, nominally divided into fifteen channels of 10 MHz each. The US Federal Government recently finalized rules (Rule 96) that allow general access to the CBRS band. The CBRS rules set forth detailed requirements for the devices that operate in a CBRS network and how they communicate. Both LTE networks and 5G networks can be implemented in CBRS systems. Base stations (BS/APs) within a CBRS network are termed “CBSDs”, and UEs are termed End User Devices (EUDs). All the CBSDs are connected to an operator Core Network by any appropriate communication means, such as wire, fiber optic, wireless radio and/or a PDN, which includes components such as an OAM Server, a SON assist unit, a Domain Proxy, an Automatic Configuration Server (ACS), a Location Database, and other databases, all of which are connected to each other within the operator Core Network by any appropriate means. The operator Core Network is connected to an SAS, which is connected to a Spectrum Database that includes data regarding the spectrum that it is managing; collectively, the SAS and the Spectrum Database are referred to as a Spectrum Management Entity (SME).

(6) RF Environment, Campus Location

The design of a RAN deployment, and the allocation of resources in a deployed RAN, is greatly dependent upon the RF environment at the campus location where the RAN is deployed. At any RAN deployment, the RF environment can vary due to a variety of causes; for example, physical obstacles like buildings affect the RF environment, also the relative positioning of the transmitters and UEs, interference, campus layout, features, and building construction: walls, materials, carpeted/non-carpeted all can affect the RF environment and may vary widely between locations. In other words, the RF environment can vary greatly within a RAN, and accordingly each BS/AP may see a different path loss.

Following are examples of a campus location and a building in which a RAN is deployed, all of which contribute to the RF environment. Particularly,is a perspective illustration of a campus locationthat has wireless coverage andis a cross-sectional view of a buildingon the campus location.

is a perspective illustration of a campus locationin which a plurality of BS/APs including at least a first BS/AP, a second BS/AP(collectively) of an Enterprise Network (EN) are installed to provide wireless coverage to a plurality of mobile users such as a first usera second user, and a third user(referred to collectively as). Each mobile usermay be carrying one or more UEs such as a mobile phone, laptop computer, or some other device that can be connected to the EN.

The campus locationdefines a boundary perimeter, and the BS/APsare deployed within the boundaryhaving various structures,,. The positions and configuration of the BS/APsdeployed within the campus locationare selected to provide wireless coverage to the plurality of usersfor the EN. The BS/APsmay be installed indoors and outdoors, and may comprise any type of BS/AP. The BS/APsgenerally provide wireless coverage substantially throughout the campus location, indoor and outdoor, with coverage usually extending to surrounding areas at least to some extent. In one embodiment the BS/APscomprise CBSDs and the EN includes a CBRS network. In some embodiments some of the BS/APs, particularly the BS/APs installed indoors, have a UE built into them. These built-in UEs can be used for making measurements that can be used to determine the MN footprint information, as described herein.

is a cross-sectional view of a buildingon the campus locationin which a plurality of BS/APs of the RAN are installed on different floors having various computers and cell phones-. In this example, a first BS/APis installed on the sixth floor, a second BS/APis installed on the fourth floor, a third BS/APis installed on the first floor, and a fourth BS/APis installed in the basement. Building construction (walls, materials, carpeted/non-carpeted) can vary widely between locations, and all can affect the RF environment. In some embodiments, the indoor BS/APshave a UE built into them, which can be used for making measurements.